What Is Weight Loss Surgery?

Sometimes, being overweight can lead to serious health problems. People who are
100 or more pounds over their ideal body weight are more likely to develop medical
problems. These problems include diabetes,
heart disease, sleep
apnea
, and joint problems.

Weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery) can help very
overweight people who have tried but failed to lose weight and face serious medical
problems. But it's not a quick fix. People need to put in a lot of hard work before
and after the operation.

The three main kinds of surgery for weight loss are gastric sleeve, gastric bypass,
and gastric banding.

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve (also called sleeve gastrectomy)
is the most common weight loss procedure. With this operation, the surgeon removes
part of the stomach and makes a tube or "sleeve" out of the rest of the
stomach. The new, banana-shaped stomach is much smaller than the original stomach.

After the operation, a person will eat less, feel full sooner, and be less hungry.
The gastric sleeve operation only changes the stomach. The gastric sleeve procedure
is not reversible.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

In a gastric bypass (also called "Roux-en-Y"
gastric bypass), a surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach.
This pouch becomes the new stomach. Surgeons then connect the pouch to the middle
part of the small intestine, bypassing the upper part of the small intestine.

After the surgery, the stomach pouch holds a lot less food than a normal-sized
stomach. A person will eat less, feel full sooner, and be less hungry. And fewer calories
and nutrients are absorbed because the small intestine is shorter.

People who get gastric bypass tend to lose more weight than people who get the
gastric sleeve, but there can be more problems too. The gastric bypass procedure is
not reversible.

What Is Gastric Banding Surgery?

Gastric banding is not an option for most teens. As with the other
kinds of surgery, gastric banding makes the stomach smaller. The surgeon puts an adjustable
silicone band around the top part of the stomach to create a small pouch. People who
get the band feel fuller sooner and eat less.

Doctors can adjust the band by inflating or deflating the ring through a port placed
under the skin. The band can even be completely deflated or removed entirely, letting
the stomach return to its normal size.

Gastric band surgery has fewer complications than the bypass and sleeve options.
However, people who get the band don't lose as much weight. Gastric band devices are
not FDA-approved for people younger than 18.

They have a body mass
index (BMI) of 35 or more as well as serious medical problems caused by weight,
like diabetes or sleep apnea.

They have a BMI of 40 or greater with less serious medical problems.

Teens must be committed to making the lifestyle changes needed for success and
have the support of their families to help them do so.

What Are the Risks of Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery, like any surgery, does come with risks. People who've had
weight loss surgery may have pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and acid reflux (heartburn)
after eating — especially if they eat too much or too quickly. Uncommon but more serious
problems include:

a leaky stomach or intestine that can lead to an infection of the area around
the stomach and other organs

a blood clot in the legs or lungs

blockage in the intestines

"Dumping syndrome" is a problem mainly seen with gastric bypass. This
is when food moves too quickly through the stomach and intestines, causing nausea,
dizziness, sweating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Eating high-sugar or high-fat foods
makes dumping worse, so people who have had weight loss surgery need to be careful
about what they eat.

Mental health problems, such as depression
and anxiety,
are a concern before and after surgery. Most people feel better about themselves after
weight loss surgery, but some may continue to struggle. It is important for people
who have had weight loss surgery to follow up with their mental health professional
and get help if they feel overwhelmed or sad, or have other emotional concerns.

What Else Should I Know?

Weight loss surgery is not a quick fix. But the hard work may be worth it for people
who are very overweight and have serious health problems because of their weight.

If you're worried about your teen's weight and think he or she may benefit from
weight loss surgery, talk to your doctor.